Enabling Environments: Forest schools - Snow or shine

The first early years forest school in Sweden, set up in 1957, was known as 'I ur och skur', meaning 'rain or shine'. Here, children spent all day, every day, of their early years education up to age six in the outdoors, unless it was below -10 degC, when they could spend some time in a log cabin. Recently, the temperature in Kent has been as low as -1 degC but we've continued with our Forest Schools sessions nonetheless.

Preparing for and learning to not only survive, but thrive, whatever the weather, is one of the great lessons learnt in forest schools. Parents, teachers and children all need to learn about this preparation - and it is surprising how often a child will turn up at school with little more than a T-shirt and thin raincoat!

To cope with winter temperatures we ensure children are dressed in layers, including either snow boots or ski socks with wellies, gloves, hat, scarf, one or two warm layers, and a waterproof cover of waterproof trousers and jackets, or all-in-one suit. This leaves them able to withstand the weather, and engage in deep learning.

DISCOVERY TIME

There is much to feel and discover, whatever the season. 'Look, it's icy, let's ice skate' two girls recently said as we made our way along the path to the woods. Another boy noticed the texture and sounds of the season: 'Crunch, crunch ... the snow is all crunchy.' We've also noticed nature's changing landscape - from spotting a snow-covered spider's web, to thinking about how a butterfly could live out in the cold, or how as a caterpillar it is staying warm in its cocoon.

In cold weather, you can make snow or frost angels on the ground, or try freezing flowers, ferns, pine needles and berries in containers of water. Left to freeze overnight these become ice balls or ice cubes of art. Try also following animal or bird tracks in the snow.

TAKE COVER

One tip is to buy a lightweight storm shelter, small enough to fit in a rucksack but large enough to accommodate up to ten children at snacktime, if it is very cold, or if there is a sudden snow storm. Once inside, the air temperature quickly raises by 10 degC.

At snack time we also heat water in a storm kettle to make hot chocolate, or hot spiced apple juice. We also keep moving, with tree climbing and exploring the woods further than usual. And we finish with an action song - all part of the fun in cold weather!